Smiling older woman in a pink blazer and patterned scarf, wearing pearl jewelry, posed against a neutral studio background.

Mary Virginia Terry

An Enduring Legacy of Opportunity 

Mary Virginia Terry and her husband, C. Herman, shared a deep commitment to the power of education. Together, and after his passing, Mrs. Terry supported numerous organizations, including educational institutions, children’s charities, health care and the arts in Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida. Their philanthropy reflected a belief in the lasting value of education and the importance of creating opportunities for individuals to learn, grow and contribute to their communities.

A Transformational Investment in VSU

In 2015, VSU received a $3.9 million gift from the Terry Family Foundation. The gift established three endowments — the Mary Virginia Terry Center for Experiential Learning; the Mary Virginia Terry Chair in Experiential Learning, which supports the executive director position; and the Mary Virginia Terry Scholarship, which has provided $441,809 in financial support to 197 VSU students. Together, these investments create lasting opportunities for VSU students to pursue experiential learning and achieve their educational goals.

A native of  Quitman, GA and a VSU alumna, Mary Virginia Terry completed her studies in sociology and anthropology in 1939. She was awarded honorary doctorate degrees from both the University of Georgia and Jacksonville University. Mrs. Terry died on October 29, 2022, at the age of 103. Her generosity continues to shape the VSU experience and expand opportunities for students to learn through research, internships, service, study abroad and other real-world experiences.

 

Credits: Picture of Mrs Terry obtained from https://residentnews.net/decades-of-devotion/